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The cross represents many things to many people, but we need to understand what it truly represents. It was a chosen instrument of death for Rome and anyone breaking their laws had to face the painful death on the cross. We understand that Jesus did not break any Roman laws, and He was an innocent man placed upon an instrument of cruel death.

Jesus went onto the cross, not because He broke Roman laws or because He was guilty of any crime. He chose the cross out of love and obedience to God the Father and out of love for mankind. This love was so powerful that He gave up His life so that anyone who believes upon Him shall inherit life.

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. ¹⁸ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The cross is a symbol of death, but more importantly, it’s a symbol of life. Jesus taking my place (and yours) upon the cross shows how much He loved us. He was the perfect sacrifice and paid the penalty of our sins. This acceptable sacrifice to God the Father makes us acceptable before Him when we trust Jesus as our Savior. The cross was a brutal instrument to all who the broke the law, but it’s also a beautiful symbol of how a sinless Man gave up His life for the world. When we confess and believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again to break the curse of death, He promises us eternal life.

Romans 10:9-11

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The Scripture is God’s truth, and it tells us that for believing in Christ, we will not be condemned. Whoever believes in Him shall be saved. The question everyone must ask in their heart is, “Do I know Jesus and have salvation?”

The crosses you see on a wall in a church, public place, or home are beautiful reminders of how much God loves us to give up His only begotten Son. It shows us that when we have faith in Jesus, nothing in this world can ever take away that love from us. We all go through difficult times in this life, but with Jesus as our personal Savior, we can overcome our difficulties when we rely upon Him. I pray and hope when you see a cross, you reflect on what He did out of love for you.

Lord bless you.
Pastor Tim Getz

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